Search - Nightwatchman :: One Man Revolution

Something a little different from Morello

Daniel Maltzman | Arlington, MA, USA | 04/25/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"On the heels of Audioslave's final album "Revelations," (2006) guitarist Tom Morello is back with his first solo album, "One Man Revolution" (2007) under the moniker "The Watchman."



"One Man Revolution" is kind of like Morello's own "Ghost of Tom Joad" (1995). Sounding nothing at all like Rage Against the Machine or Audioslave, "One Man Revolution" is an acoustic and semi-acoustic album, with RATM-like themes addressing injustice and inequality. It's a sort of loosely based concept album, with Morello playing the role of "The Watchman," who in Morello's words is a "black Robin Hood."



While the album is rather laid-back, it still manages to pack a good punch. Morello's rough baritone voice can carry a tune and he's really into his character. While political concept albums can sometimes come across as preachy or naïve, this isn't really a problem here. Lyrically, Morello strikes a good balance, avoiding sounding simplistic on one hand, or a full-of himself, know-it-all on the other.



"One Man Revolution" has a very organic, home-made feel, as Morello plays every instrument, with the help of producer Brendan O'Brien. And while "One Man Revolution" is pretty straight-forward, Morello manages to throw out some interesting curve-balls, like the Celtic sounding "The Road I Must Travel."



If you're expecting something like RATM or Audioslave, you may be disappointed with "One Man Revolution." However, if you want to hear something a little different from Morello, check with album out.

"

Tom Morello: Making his rage sound pretty.

Owen Guevara | United States | 05/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Coming from a folk music fan point of view, the album is ok (3 stars). Coming from a Rage Against The Machine fans and Audioslave fans point of view that want to add an acoustic album to their collection, it is very good (4 stars). Coming from a left wing liberals point of view, it makes you want to grab a sign and start marching (5 stars). Coming from a folk music fan, Rage Against The Machine fan, Audioslave fan, left wing liberal, it is exactly what you need/want to hear (7 stars? lol). It took me 2 thorough listens before I got used to Morello's story-teling type voice. An ok Johnny Cash, meets a sandpaper Bruce Springsteen, meets Bob Dylan sums up his voice. His lyrics are as powerful as any RATM song, the guitar playing is extremely melodic and to a point hypnotic, and his passion becomes palpable the more and more you listen to it. If you enjoy Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, or even Neil Young you will find this CD a welcome addition to your library and will hold very good replay value. If you want an above decent album (especially with the lack of good albums lately) that is worth your money, buy it and give it time to sink in on you, you won't regret it."

Woody Guthrie would be so proud !

creatureart | Massachusetts | 10/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tom Morello aka:THE NIGHTWATCHMAN's debut solo album "One Man Revolution" is a folk/protest music masterpiece! I read in rollingstone magazine a few weeks back that Tom Morello has come out with a solo album full of folk/protest songs and as a huge RATM fan and folk musician/fan myself I was stoked about the very idea. I imediately went to my local music store and picked it up(it hasn't left my cd player since). If your a fan of Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Billy Bragg and the great un-heard Patrick Fitzgerald then your gonna love this album. If you care at all about the state of society/government and feel alone in your want and need for change in this dark grey world then your gonna love this album. If your not blind and can see that uncle sam is fooling you with fear and materialism to prime you up for much darker things to come then your gonna love this album. If you don't care about any of these things and your happy to be stuck in your way, don't really care for the message in music and think your government is spending billions apon billions of hard earned tax payers dollars on a neverending war just to keep you safe and free then don't even bother with this album. Go fill up the tank in your nice new SUV and throw something useless into your cd player and continue to be oblivious to what's truly going on in the world around you."